James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Papers of Hiram B. Swarr, Series 1 Correspondence

Call Number: JBFP Part 6 Series 1

1 box 81 folders .5 cubic feet

Repository: LancasterHistory (Organization); PV7

Shelving Location: Archives South

Scope and Content Note: James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Papers of Hiram B. Swarr, Series 1 contains correspondence of Hiram Behm Swarr. The many letters to Harriet Lane Johnston and Henry E. Johnston primarily pertain to the settlement of James Buchanan’s estate and work on Buchanan’s biography. The dates in this collection range from 1841 to 1887.

Subseries 1 has letters from Hiram B. Swarr to Aristides Welch, Augustus Schell, Harriet Lane Johnston, Henry Elliot Johnston, and William B. Reed.

Subseries 2 has letters to Hiram B. Swarr from A. J. Glossbrenner, Edmund Jennings Lee, John R. Blake, William B. Reed, Samuel Magaw, Chambers McKibbin, John M.Cooper, Isaac E. Hiester, John Cadwalader, Benjamin Bausman, and his nephew, Simeon Toby.

Creators: Swarr, Hiram Behm, 1821-1896 James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)

System of Arrangement: James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Papers of Hiram B. Swarr is arranged into three series. Series 1 Correspondence Subseries 1 Letters from Hiram B. Swarr Subseries 2 Letters to Hiram B. Swarr Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents Series 3 Ephemera

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Language: English

Biographical and Historical Note: Hiram Behm Swarr (1821-1896) was born in Londonderry Township in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. His father was Jacob Swarr, a prominent manufacturer of Lebanon County at the time. His mother was from the prominent Behm family. He became a lawyer instead of following in his father’s footsteps. In December 1847, H.B. Swarr married Fanny T. Swarr. Together they had three children: Charles, Sallie, and Mary.

Swarr was admitted to the bar in 1847, and worked in Lancaster County for nearly fifty years. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and was also appointed the Chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He was a Democratic delegate for congress from his district in 1868 and was appointed Postmaster General from 1857 to 1861. Additionally, he belonged to the Lancaster School Board, the Board of Censors, the Law Library Association, and was one of the founders of the Lancaster Bar Association.

Swarr was also a close friend of President James Buchanan, handled many of Buchanan’s financial affairs and investments, and was appointed co-executor of James Buchanan’s estate in 1868.

Source of Acquisition: These documents were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland.

Custodial History (Provenance): This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to Lancaster County’s Historical Society archives in the Spring of 2009.

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

Preferred Citation: James Buchanan Family Papers, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

People: Swarr, Hiram Behm Johnston, Harriet Lane Johnston, Henry Elliot Buchanan, James

Subject Headings: Letters Personal correspondence

Search Terms: Correspondence Personal correspondence Letters Finding aids Manuscript groups Buchanan Collections James Buchanan Harriet Lane Johnston

Related Materials at LancasterHistory: James Buchanan Family Papers James Buchanan Collection, MG0096 Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm Photograph collections Curatorial collections Wheatland Mansion

Related Material in Other Repositories: James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers

James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/

James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html

James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm

Processing History: Finding aid prepared by RC, 2017. This collection has been documented, preserved and managed according to professional museum and archives standards. The collection was cataloged using DACS conventions.

JBFP Part 6, Series 1, Subseries 1

Folder 1 Lancaster 8 April 1861 Letter to [Aristides] Welch enclosing a check from Mr. Buchanan for $6027.29 for the judgment against Thudiam and a paper for his signature agreeing to refund the amount if desired within two years.

Folder 2 Lancaster 13 August 1861 Letter to B. F. Etter. Esq., stating that James Buchanan would have preferred to let the matter stand,but will not object to the funds being paid; noting that they must be paid in par funds, not in currency; and asking to be notified when the funds are ready to be paid, at which time he will leave by one of two specified trains.

Folder 3 No place, 10 March 1868 Letter to Hon. Augustus Schell highly recommending the integrity of Mr. George Bogert for purposes of business.

Folder 4 Lancaster 10 April 1869 Letter to Harriet Lane Johnston explaining his sending a check for $5000 to her as part of her inheritance from James Buchanan, as is the custom in such affairs, for her to invest as she wishes.

Folder 5 Lancaster 8 June 1869 Letter to H. E. Johnston describing the restrictions on investment by law of the court; explaining that the court will only approve trust investments in securities that are explicitly enumerated by the legatee; noting that cash is not always in the hands of the executors; assuring him that the executors strive to give the maximum amount possible in the earliest time possible to the heirs of the ex-President; and hoping that they were not prevented from visiting Lancaster on the 5th by the condition of Harriet Lane Johnston’s health.

Folder 6 Lancaster, 27 August 1869 Letter to Harriet Lane Johnston explaining that he will transmit to Edward Young Buchanan her concerns about the cemetery lots and the railing but without her accompanying remarks; noting that the mistake regarding the railings has been rectified so that the railings and posts are now placed entirely within the borders of the estate lots selected by James Buchanan for his place of interment, and will not include the additional lots jointly purchased; and regretting having to relate the details but wanting her to have all the facts.

Folder 7 Lancaster, 5 January 1870 Letter to Harriet Lane Johnston explaining the circumstances under which Mr. Reed was relieved of preparing the biography of James Buchanan, and that the papers and books are all under the executors’ control.

Folder 8 Lancaster, 12 April 1870

Letter to Henry E. Johnston requesting the delivery of Mrs. Johnston’s estate papers to Wheatland as soon as convenient; stating that in his letter of March 24th he had defended Edward Young Buchanan as co-executor using words copied from one of James Buchanan’s truest friends, a gentleman known to and respected by Mr. and Mrs. Johnston; explaining that his request for Mrs. Johnston to suggest a biographer for James Buchanan was meant to “hasten its accomplishment;” and stating his wish to perform his duty to the estate and legatees of the deceased while maintaining “ kindly relations with all.” Handwritten by unknown and signed by H. B. Swarr.

Folder 9 Lancaster, 19 May 1870 Letter to Henry E. Johnston giving approval for Mrs. Johnston to add additional ornament and shrubbery to the cemetery lot of James Buchanan.

Folder 10 Lancaster, 10 June 1870 Letter to Henry E. Johnston updating the search for a biographer of James Buchanan since Mr. Reed was unable to do it, noting that among numerous interviews their hopes for Mr. Gillett (endorsed by Mr. Capen and Mr. Schell) were disappointed by his lack of literary qualifications; and noting that the terms of James Buchanan’s will require the executors to control the funds for the biography.

Folder 11 Lancaster, 29 June 1870 Draft of a letter to Harriet Lane Johnston stating that the delay in hiring a biographer of James Buchanan may prove beneficial because the fund provided will increase and attract interested biographers; asking for the exact date and time when she might have the estate papers at Wheatland prepared for delivery to him; discussing financial matters dealing with her trust; and on the next day dismissing the attack on James Buchanan by Colonel Jacques. (not in Swarr’s handwriting)

Folder 12 Lancaster 14 April 1871 Draft of a letter to Harriet Lane Johnston informing her that he and his co-executor have decided to appoint Mr. J. C. Welling as biographer of James Buchanan and asking her to sign a copy of the document already signed by all the legatees who have reached their majority. (not in Swarr’s handwriting) Note in pencil: Mrs. J. declined, sorry.

Folder 13 Lancaster 25 February 1874 Draft of a letter to William B. Reed stating that he is in favor of Mr. Reed resuming the biography but that he has been unable to ascertain the views of Edward Young Buchanan or Harriet Lane Johnston; offering to carry out any suggestion which Mr. Reed might have; and noting that he is unable to furnish him with copies of their correspondence about the biography because Mr. Buchanan has most of them.

Folder 14 Lancaster 20 July 1874 Rough draft of a letter in Swarr’s handwriting to Harriet Lane Johnston referring to Mr. Reed’s willingness to resume writing the biography of James Buchanan; noting that the attempt to find another biographer has been fruitless despite Mr. Capen’s

recommending Mr. Preston of Boston; and asking for her opinion on restoring Mr. Reed as biographer.

Folder 15 Lancaster 29 January 1876 Letter informing Susan Collins that her child is entitled to $9, which is 1/7 of 1/9 of the proceeds of a bond formerly held by his or her great-grandmother, Dorcas Collins, with directions on how to claim the inheritance.

Folder 16 Lancaster, 4 January 1878 Letter in reply to Henry E. Johnston reminding him of how painful the error of $39 in commissions on Mrs. Johnston’s trust was to Swarr and how quickly corrected; and expressing his intention to fulfill his duties with integrity.

Folder 17 Lancaster, January 1887 Letter to T. A. Creigh and Charles S. Stebbins introducing J. A. Hiestand, Esq., who will be residing and pursuing his profession in Omaha. Written on the back of Report of the Condition of the Farmers’ National Bank.

Folder 18 No place, no date Letter to Unknown introducing J. S. Butler, agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, who wishes to make known the advantages of the company.

JBFP Part 6, Series 1, Subseries 2

Folder 1 Philadelphia 12 Jany 1859 Letter from T. B. Baker concerning the purchase of the Pennsylvanian [newspaper] for $10,000, of which $1,000 was received from Mr. Swarr the preceding day, with $2,500 pledged to be paid in six months from undetermined sources; and noting that Sanderson was pleased with Packer’s message about the attack on federal officeholders.

Folder 2 Washington, D. C. 28 November 1860 Letter from A. J. Glossbrenner denying the request for an advance press copy of the President’s message to Congress, because the message must be retained for possible modification until the latest hour.

Folder 3 Harrisburg 13 August 1861 Letter from B. F. Etter asking for advice before accepting money from the terre-tenants of the land bound by Judgment no. 162 of January 2, 1857, in favor of Mr. Buchanan, who wish to satisfy the judgment.

Folder 4 Harrisburg 14 August 1861 Letter from B. F. Etter stating that the Terre Tenants may not be prepared to pay in par funds and are asking for Mr. Buchanan or Mr. Swarr to be present so that they may be induced to accept other types of payment.

Folder 5 Harrisburg 27 December 1861 Letter from B. F. Etter enclosing a list of judgments revived for Mr. Buchanan and giving permission for Mr. Swarr and Mr. Buchanan to arrange his fees.

Folder 6 Senate Chamber, Harrisburg 18 January 1866 Letter from William A. Wallace regretting Mr. Swarr’s absence from a meeting of a committee, including Strickland, Monaghan, W. B. Reed and Campbell, promoting “the protection of the white man and his labor as against the negro;” stating that this organization would not be a secret society and would be connected with the recognized machinery of the party; and hoping that President Buchanan would not actively oppose the work of this committee.

Folder 7 Hagerstown, Maryland 6 August 1866 Letter from Daniel Dechert on letterhead of the Hagerstown Mail [newspaper] stating that shares of the bridge stock could be sold to David Billmyer for $16 per share and that previous to the war it was worth about $32 per share.

Folder 8 Shepherdstown, W. Va., 18 August 1867 Letter from E. J. Lee stating that in January he was elected president of the Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company and that a suit has been brought against D. Billmyer in Washington County, Maryland, for a settlement of accounts; noting that until the Bridge is rebuilt there can be no dividends, and stating that the administrator for John N. Lane’s

estate in Virginia is Andrew E. Kennedy of Charlestown, Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Folder 9 Shepherdstown, WV, 22 August 1866 Letter from E. J. Lee stating that he is legally the president of the Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company; noting that during the war Mr. David Billmyer, a director, managed what was left of the Company and has been attempting to purchase additional shares; and suggesting that Mr. Swarr enquire of Mr. Billmyer about dividends due to Mr. Lane’s estate and asking that he inform Mr. Lee of the answer.

Folder 10 Washington D C No.404 S. D. Ave 10 October 1867 Letter from William Cummings asking for the plan of the Lane Lands on Sandy Run advertised recently.

Folder 11 No. 170 Park St., Baltimore 5 December 1867 Letter from H. R. Riddle stating that he will sell the Shepherdstown Bridge stock in compliance with Virginia laws and will dispense the first installment of the funds to Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Winter and Mrs. Nicklin according to paperwork provided by Mr. Swarr; stating that he has visited the Lane lands in Bedford County and found that one tract is worthless but the others have coal and are near a railroad; quoting from a letter written by Charles B. Hitchcock, agent for the Lane lands since 1848, saying there are 34 taxed lots; and asking that he might be authorized to sell all the lands.

Folder 12 170 Park St., Baltimore 11 December 1867 Letter from H. R. Riddle enclosing power of attorney for sale of the Bridge stock and a letter from his attorney explaining pertinent legislation, stating his plans to investigate this matter and take steps to protect the heirs of Mr. Lane; and explaining a transaction with Mr. Russell regarding the first installment of payment for lands.

Folder 13 Baltimore 12 December 1867 Letter from H. R. Riddle enclosing the bill passed by the West Virginia legislature last winter and noting that the Company will not be allowed to sell its real estate or borrow on it.

Folder 14 170 Park St, Baltimore 30 December 1867 Letter from H. R. Riddle stating his plan to attend the election of the board of directors and asking for a proxy to vote if it is needed; and noting that Mr. Lee is very bitter and obstinate and it may be best to ally with Mr. Schugh.

Folder 15 Baltimore 24 April 1868 Letter from H. R. Riddle stating his intention of selling the Bridge stock at auction on May 8th, because the stock will give the balance of power to whichever side succeeds in purchasing it.

Folder 16 Lancaster 2 Jun 1868

Letter from Francis Shroder agreeing to serve as pall bearer at James Buchanan’s funeral.

Folder 17 Pontiac, Mich, 2 June 1868 Letter from C. B. Cotter noting James Buchanan’s breach of faith and cold shoulders towards himself and presenting a notarized request for payment of one dollar on a wager concerning who would outlive the other.

Folder 18 Washington, D. C. 2 June 1868 Letter from Edward McPherson on letterhead of Clerk’s Office House of Representatives, U.S., recommending George Alfred Townsend, who seeks information about James Buchanan for the American Press.

Folder 19 Lancaster 9 June 1868 Letter from R. J. Houston, assistant assessor, on letterhead of United States Internal Revenue, Assessor’s Office, 9th District, Penn., enclosing James Buchanan’s duplicate tax forms for 1867 and requesting their completion.

Folder 20 Washington, D. C 9 July 1868 Letter from John B. Blake on letterhead of National Metropolitan Bank, Washington, regarding a loan that can be collected from Mrs. King, about whom Hetty Parker has information, and requesting reimbursement for $25 the bank advanced to Mary Wall before she sailed for England. James Buchanan had previously closed his account with the bank.

Folder 21 Philadelphia 21 July 1868 Letter from W. B. Reed stating that he has shipped to him prepaid a trunk of James Buchanan’s papers and asking that they be delivered to Mrs. Johnston at Wheatland.

Folder 22 Chestnut Hill 28 August 1868 Letter from William B. Reed requesting $500 in order to hire a secretary for one year because there will be a vast amount of copying for President Buchanan’s biography, since original papers cannot be used.

Folder 23 Rockville, Maryland, 13 November 1868 Letter from Bowie & Williams stating that there may have been a misunderstanding of the terms of sale under which the Leonard farm was advertised and under which an offer of $3500 was received. 1 sheet 32 cm.

Folder 24 Plainfield, New Jersey 18 November 1868 Letter from Samuel Magaw regretting that he cannot repay the loan of $600 given by James Buchanan to his wife for the building of a wharf on her farm in Charles County, Maryland; noting that he is has been placed on the Retired List and the wharf was destroyed in a storm.

Folder 25 Rockville, Maryland 7 December 1868

Letter from Bowie and Williams asking for confirmation of the least amount that will be acceptable at the public sale of the Leonard farm, and noting that there is a slight change in the advertised time of the sale.

Folder 26 Rockville, Maryland 22 December 1868 Letter from Bowie and Williams reporting that the Leonard farm was sold for $4050, which sum reflects the fact that it is without buildings or fences and has been injuriously cultivated.

Folder 27 United States Treasury, Philadelphia 27January 1869 Letter from Chambers McKibbin stating that the delegates elected in Philadelphia are not for Cass, but primarily for Packer, who is the strongest Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania.

Folder 28 Bolton’s Hotel, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 3 February 1869 Letter from John L. Dawson hoping to see him in Harrisburg in a day or two where Mr. Cass will also be present.

Folder 29 Rockville, Maryland, 17 February 1869 Letter from Bowie and Williams reporting that Maryland law prohibits minors from conveying land; therefore, the adult heirs will institute an amicable suit to which the minor heirs must reply through a guardian appointed by a Commission.

Folder 30 Rockville, Maryland, 8 March 1869 Letter from Bowie and Williams noting that the lack of three witnesses to James Buchanan’s will renders it void in Maryland and proposing that Mr. Sellman be given complete access to the farm until the Maryland legislature can pass a bill that will allow the executors to convey a valid title.

Folder 31 Rockville, Maryland, 21 April 1869 Letter from Bowie & Williams noting that the Maryland constitution prohibits the passage of a special law concerning conveyance of title; stating that Mr. Sellman is willing to accept the deed if you concur in making in it a warranty of title; and adding that the heirs will benefit from the sale and no one else is likely to take notice.

Folder 32 Chambersburg, PA, 21 April 1869 Letter from J. M. Cooper introducing George Seilhawer, Esq., of the Tribune in New York City and asking that he be given correct information about “our great and good friend,” James Buchanan. Letterhead of the Valley Spirit, published by J. M. Cooper & Co.

Folder 33 260 F Street, Washington, D. C., 8 May 1869 Letter from William Flinn expressing surprirse at the due bill which he thought Mr. Buchanan had cancelled, and planning to examine those letters from James Buchanan not already forwarded to William B. Reed.

Folder 34 14 & 16 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, 29 May 1869 Letter from Welsh & Robb, proprietors of The Age, asking Mr. Swarr to facilitate Townsend Ward in his research when he visits Lancaster.

Folder 35 No. 45 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, 20 May 1869 Letter from Preston & Goldsborough replying to Swarr’s letter of the 19th and requesting a list with addresses of John N. Lane’s heirs and probate location of his will if any.

Folder 36 Washington, 14 April 1870 Letter from John G. Kennedy offering a place of relaxation and the possibility of investing in land in the South and West, and requesting that he post the enclosed business cards in his public offices.

Folder 37 Philadelphia, 14 October 1870 Letter from Alfred G. Baker, President of the Franklin Fire Insurance Co., enclosing a dividend check of $190 to Mrs. Swarr.

Folder 38 Lancaster 28 December 1870 Letter from Isaac E. Hiester to J. S. Black noting that he has not replied in the case of Buchanan vs. Johnston and requesting that he append acceptance dated November 7, 1870, to the enclosed sale and return it to him.

Folder 39 Lancaster, 29 December 1870 Letter from Isaac Hiester to Jeremiah S. Black requesting some copies of his printed answer as soon as practicable.

Folder 40 Philadelphia, 24 June 1874 Letter from John Cadwalader noting that he has received and endorsed duplicate copies of their memorandum and sent one to Mr. Buchanan, and requesting Lancaster newspaper files and his scrap book.

Folder 41 Philadelphia, 22 July 1874 Letter from John Cadwalader requesting that the Intelligencer materials be sent as soon as possible, lamenting the lack of extra copies of pamphlets containing Buchanan’s speeches, and mentioning some speeches with a federalist viewpoint.

Folder 42 Philadelphia, 6 August 1874 Letter from John Cadwalader requesting the entire 1827 article from the Intelligencer about James Buchanan’s 1824 conversation with General Jackson about Mr. Clay; asking for Carter Beverly’s previous letter of 8 March 1827 and intervening publications of Mr. Clay and General Jackson; and stating that he is not yet equipped to receive the bulk of the newspaper files.

Folder 43 Philadelphia, 10 August 1874 Letter from John Cadwalader acknowledging receipt of the Intelligencer files for 1827, 1828 and 1829 and some from the Washington Daily Chronicle; recalling James

Buchanan’s telling him of the conversation he had with Colonel Benton; recalling James Buchanan’s espousal of federalism in about 1820 and that General Cameron had referred to it negatively; asking on which party ticket James Buchanan was elected to Congress; and requesting newspaper copies of any speeches James Buchanan delivered in the state legislature.

Folder 44 York, 9 April 1879 Letter from J. S. Black explaining that Edward Young Buchanan’s animosity had prevented him from writing James Buchanan’s biography; noting that Buchanan’s roll in forty years of important events has never been honestly told; and noting that, with the death of Judge Cadwalader, passing time makes it less likely to appoint a competent biographer.

Folder 45 York, 30 April 1879 Letter from J. S. Black informing him that he will be writing about some events in James Buchanan’s administration for a periodical; assuring Swarr that he had never wished to criticize him in any way and noting that they are both powerless regarding James Buchanan’s biography. Envelope with stamp and postmark addressed to H. B. Swarr, Esq., Lancaster, Pa.

Folder 46 Columbia, PA, 28 June 1879 Letter from J. P. Angney of Angney’s Dry Goods and Notion House asking for his help in securing a loan or advertising for one in a Lancaster paper.

Folder 47 Columbia, PA, 5 July 1879 Letter from J. P. Angney of Angney’s Dry Goods and Notion House wishing to know when he should appear at Swarr’s office next week.

Folder 48 235-241 North Third Street, Philadelphia, 5 November 1879 Letter from James, Santee & Co. asking that an 1877 judgment for $607 be served as quickly as possible on Jacob P. Angney of Columbia, formerly of Chambersburg, before other creditors find him.

Folder 49 235-241 North Third Street, Philadelphia, 11 November 1879 Letter from James, Santee & Co acknowledging letter received from Swarr’s son, C. J., and hoping that Swarr’s health will improve; noting that the failure of the bankruptcy proceedings against Angney has opened up the ability of creditors to secure their claim; and asking if it would be expedient to file a judgment in the Court of Common Pleas against Angney in Lancaster.

Folder 50 New Orleans, 25 March 1879 Letter from nephew Simeon Toby giving the history of a claim of Thomas Toby against the Republic of Texas dating back to 1838, which was audited at $59,448.44 in 1876; asking for advice on whether he might sue for payment from Texas in federal courts; giving some Toby family news; and sending love to Aunt Mary & Charlie.

Folder 51, 320 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pa., May 4, 1880 Letter from B. F. Meyers of Patriot Publishing Company, publisher of the Daily Patriot and Weekly Patriot, introducing their business manager, who seeks help in extending circulation to Lancaster.

Folder 52 Philadelphia, 25 October 1880 Letter from E. Hunn asking for help in recovering his loan of $10 to Mrs. Saylor. Mrs. Saylor is now fighting Eby through W. F. Beyer, Esq., through whom the note can be served.

Folder 53 Easton, Pa., 1 June 1881 Letter from W. H. Hutter, cashier of Northampton County National Bank, asking for information about James Buchanan’s bequest to the poor of Lancaster City, including a copy of the clause in his will, whether the bequest was made to the city, and who is in charge of the distribution of its funds.

Folder 54 Morse Building, Nassau and Beekman Sts., New York, 25 January, 1881. Letter from George Ticknor Curtis regretting that his letter to Edward Young Buchanan did not arrive in time to stop their coming and suggesting another meeting in New York so as not to risk losing the manuscript of James Buchanan’s biography en route.

Folder 55 Baltimore, Maryland, 7 July 1882 Note from Johnston Brothers & Company acknowledging receipt on account of Harriet Lane Johnston from A. L. Henderson on B. K. Jamison & Co, in the amount of $903.45.

Folder 56 Richfield Springs, New York, 5 September 1883 Letter from George Ticknor Curtis recommending a criminal prosecution of the Boston Herald for libel regarding James Buchanan’s broken engagement with Miss Coleman, and stating that he was mortified that Dr. Edward Young Buchanan had incorrectly supposed that he was recommending a civil suit for damages for libel upon a dead man.

Folder 57 No place, 29 October 1883. Note from George Ticknor Curtis asking that the amount paid him from the biographical fund not be filed in probate court, so as to keep it out of the newspapers.

Folder 58 1342 Pine Street, Philadelphia, 24 Oct. 1883 Letter from Mrs. Edward Young Buchanan containing a balance sheet of the biographical fund totaling $18,854.58, including payments to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, J. B. Baker, Judge Cadwalader, George T. Curtis, and Mr. Swarr.

Folder 59 Shepherdstown, West Virginia 26 April 1886 Letter from son-in-law, Benjamin Bausman, asking for help for his neighbors, Miss Annie Warner and her sister, Mrs. Post Humrickhouse, who are interested in finding out whether they have a claim to the estate of their grandfather, Isaac Showalter of Lancaster County. Envelope with stamp and postmark addressed to H. B. Swarr, 231 North Duke St., Lancaster, Penna

Folder 60 Shepherdstown, West Virginia 26 April 1886 Letter from Annie Warner asking for information about any possible inheritance from Gency Showalter of Lancaster or York Counties, Pennsylvania. Aunt Gency was the unmarried sister of her grandfather Isaac Showalter, who died in Jefferson Co., Virginia, in 1852 aged 74.

Folder 61 Shepherdstown, West Virginia 8 May 1886 Letter from Miss Annie Warner hoping for a bequest from her great-aunt Gency Showalter and giving further details about her grandparents, Isaac Showalter and Elizabeth Longernecker. Their children were Eliza, Maria, Isaac, Harriet, Raphael, Ann, Rebecca, John, and Jane. Her mother Maria was born in 1806 in Shippensburg, Pa.

Folder 62 Easton [26 July, no year] Letter from W. C. Cattell hoping to visit the Swarrs when he comes to Lancaster for a meeting of the State Teachers Association on August 9th, 10th and 11th.

Folder 63 No place, 28 Aug [no year] Note from William B. Reed referring to an enclosed letter, which is missing. James Buchanan Henry is aware of the importance he attaches to the subject of the letter, which was written following a meeting with Edward Young Buchanan, who has not assented to its contents.